Do you think or know you were busted by the animal you were hunting because of the finish of your bow.
      Don't really like the bow sleeves,and sure
hate to camo the Kodiak Mag i got.Sure has a good looking finish to it.
                             Ernie

I am fairly certain that I have been busted because of the shine on my bow limbs on more than one occasion.  Even a bow with a dull finish will reflect a lot of light when the sunlight hits it right.  A buddy of mine spotted me on the edge of timber from hundreds of yards away one time solely by the reflection off my bow limbs, and I've seen the flashes myself from other hunting partners.  

I agree with you - I love the looks of my bows and don't really like covering them up.  But I like being busted by game even less, so I usually will have a pair of limb socks covering my limbs.

I'm not a big fan of limb covers either, but I use them.

I did an experiment a long time ago. I stood two bows up in one of my brush blinds. One with a satin finish, and one with a high gloss finish.

I walked out in front of the blind, and down through the woods where I see most of the deer when I use that blind. The bow with the gloss finish looked like a mirror reflecting the sunlight, and the one with the satin finish wasn't much better.

Bob

I usually apply a thin coat of Johnson's paste wax to entire bow except the grip. Let dry to a haze, don't polish! I'm good to go, added protection and no shine.

I usually don't bother with bow camo BUT last year the turkeys were busting me so I tried camp face paint on my bow.  Worked pretty good though I still didn't get a turkey   :rolleyes: . It was easy to apply and easy to take off.

Limb covers for me. I pull them down over the riser when walking in and out of the woods. When I get in my stand, I pull them up off the riser, so I have plenty of room to shoot. Really protects my bows, and no shine.

I don't think I have been busted by the shine itself. I have had a lot of deer look straight at me while holding my high gloss longbow. The only time they seem to react to me is when I move.

Usually spray a coat of artist's matte finish; rough up with steel wool works too.  

Take a look at Limbsations from Onestringer

DDave

QuoteOriginally posted by damascusdave:
Take a look at Limbsations from Onestringer

DDave

x2, excellent for the back of the bows limbs.

military surplus camo stick stays on very well easy to touch up and  cleans off easliy with mineral spirits
58

Besides hiding shine, the limb socks will help quiet your bow since the string hits them first.